Program Mission: The Master’s of Science in Special Education is designed to prepare educational personnel for the diverse roles they will be asked to play in special education.  This flexible program is designed for teachers with special education certification, teachers with regular education certification, and individuals without certification preparing for a career in special education.  Individuals who desire initial or additional certifications may be required to complete additional course work.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”).  In addition, the student must provide the following documents:

• Official transcripts to the department and university documenting all prior course work and evidence of having earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution approved by Eastern Illinois University with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.75 GPA for the last 60 hours of graded academic coursework as defined by the Graduate School.  If these standards  are not met, the student may complete nine semester hours of graduate level courses in the department with a grade point average of 3.3 or higher.
• Two letters of recommendation which must address the student’s potential to engage successfully in graduate study.  One letter should document experience with children or adults with exceptionalities such as teaching, student teaching volunteer work, private or public agency experience. 
• Official admission test scores (GRE, MAT, or GMAT).
• A written statement of future professional goals minimally one paragraph in length.
• A three-to-five page position paper, literature review, or research paper.  The paper must be submitted in a format consistent with the most recent edition of the American Psychological Association Publication Manual and include a minimum of  five  references.

These documents will be considered as the advisor and student formulate a study plan that will include the student’s professional goals, extent of experience with individuals with exceptionalities, and the students’ professional writing competencies.

Study Plan Approval: The study plan shall be approved by the department and filed with the departmental graduate coordinator prior to the completion of 12 semester hours of graduate credit which count toward the graduate degree.